4

Verbs: Review
4.1 REVIEW OF PERFECT TENSES
Time Line

4.2 REVIEW OF ALL VERBS FORMS

Song
Error Analysis Draw
Board Game
Mixed-up Answers
Short Answers
Time Chart
Dice Shoot
Error Analysis

4.1

REVIEW OF PERFECT TENSES

1. TIME LINE

Materials:

Board

Dynamic:

Whole class

Time:

15 minutes

Procedure:

1.

Draw a time line on the board.

2.

Ask for a student volunteer to provide dates and facts about past
events in his/her life. Write them on the time line.

3.

Ask the class to predict what this student will do in the future.
Write the suggestions on the time line.
Example:
1995

finish hs

4.

1996

come to U.S.

1997

now

1998

return home

1999

get married

With the help of the class, write two sentences based on the time
line for each of the perfect tenses.
Examples:
a. Before John came to the United States, he had finished high
school.
b. He has been studying English since he came to the United
States.
c. He will have returned home by the time he gets married.

5.

For homework, have the students make their own time line and
write two sentences for each of the perfect tenses based on their
time line.
SUGGESTION: Cash register tapes are inexpensive and make good
time lines. Instead of doing a volunteer time line on the board, you
can divide the class into groups and have each group construct a
time line for one of its members. Then put the tapes on the walls
and have another group make sentences using some other groups
time line.

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4.2

REVIEW OF ALL VERB FORMS

1. SONG

Materials:

Worksheet of lyrics based on models in

Chapter 3
Tape and tape player (optional)

Dynamic:
Time:
Procedure:

Pairs
20 minutes
1.

Prepare a handout for each student of song lyrics with verbs

omitted (make sure to omit only verbs whose tenses/forms the
students can figure out from context). Sometimes many different
forms can work in the song.

2.

Divide the class into pairs, and have each pair work on the song to
fill in the missing verb forms.

3.

Go over the answers together, or listen to a tape of the song to

check answers. Be sure to explain where more than one answer is
possible even if it is not the one in the song.
NOTE: Choose a song that has verb forms appropriate to your level.
If you find a song that is appropriate for reviewing forms that you
have covered but has one or two forms you have not studied, simply
leave those in the song. Some good songs for this activity are Rocky
Raccoon (Lennon and McCartney, sung by the Beatles) and It
Doesnt Matter Anymore (Paul Anka).

2. ERROR ANALYSIS DRAW

Materials:
Dynamic:
Time:
Procedure:

Worksheet 28A or 28B, cut into strips,

or make your own
Teams
25 minutes

1. Divide the class into two teams. Have them stand or sit on
opposite sides of the room. If your class is large, you can divide
the class into several teams.
2.

90

A student from the first team comes to the front of the class and
selects a strip. He or she reads the strip aloud and decides if the
sentence is correct or incorrect. If it is incorrect, the student must
correct it.

NOTE: It is probably best not to let the team help, but if you are
using small teams or want more interaction, you can have the team
discuss the sentence. For scoring purposes, accept only the answer
given by the student who selected the strip.
3.

If the sentence is correct and the student says so, the team
receives a point. If the sentence is incorrect and the student
correctly identifies it as such, the team receives a point. The team
receives one more point for correcting it. If the student identifies a
sentence as incorrect but fails to provide an accurate correction,
the other team (or next team if you have more than two) can
steal a point by correcting the sentence. That team then takes
the next turn.
SUGGESTION: Make your own strips so that the grammar covered
accurately reflects the content of your course. Use the worksheet as a
model only if it is appropriate for your class. Cash register tapes
work well for make-your-own strips because they can be seen by
everyone. They can be purchased at office supply stores or large
variety stores.

3. BOARD GAME
Materials:

Dynamic:
Time:
Procedure:

Worksheet 29A (lower level) or

29B (higher levels)
Die for each team, one marker
for each student
Groups
20 minutes
1.

Divide the class into teams of approximately four. Distribute a

copy of the worksheet to each team.

2.

Students roll to see who goes first. The students move their
markers around the game board. When a player lands on a square
with a sentence, he/she must correct the sentence. If the group
judges the corrected answer to be accurate, the student may roll
again. If not, the turn passes to the next student. The players
should not discuss the correct answer when an incorrect answer
has been given since another player may land on that same space
and have a chance to give an answer.

3.

Circulate among the groups to see how they are doing and to act
as judge if the group cannot decide if an answer is correct. The
first player in each group to reach the end is the winner.

91

4. MIXED-UP ANSWERS
Materials:

Board

Dynamic:

Teams

Time:
Procedure:

10 minutes
1.

Divide the class into two teams and have them line up on either
side of the board.

2.

On each side of the board write the same short answers, but in
mixed-up order (so that a student on one team cannot simply look
over and see where his/her counterpart is marking).
Sample short answers:
Yes, I do.
No, he wasnt.
No, we didnt.
Yes, she is.
Yes, I am.
No, I didnt.

3.

Yes, I am.
No, I didn't.
Yes, I do.
Yes, she is.
No, we didn't.
No, he wasn't.

The first student from each team comes to the board. Ask a
question. The students try to circle the answer as quickly as
possible. The first student to circle the correct answer gets a point
for his/her team.
Sample questions:
Do you have a sister?
Did you eat lunch today?
Did we have class yesterday?
Are you in level 2?
Is Johns sister married?
Was Tom late for class today?
NOTE: The questions can be about your class or not. The students do
not need to know if the answer is yes or no. They are looking for the
correct verb form that answers the question. It is recommended that
you do not have both yes and no answers (for example: Yes, I do
and No, I dont) that could be appropriate to a question. There
should only be one possible answer for each question asked.

Variation:

92

Use tag board sentence strips attached to the board. Students check
next to the strip; their marks can be erased without erasing the
sentence, and you can reuse the strips in other classes.

5. SHORT ANSWERS
Materials:

Worksheet 30

Dynamic:

Small groups

Time:
Procedure:

20 minutes
1.

Divide the class into groups of three or four.

2.

Give each group approximately 5 cards with short answers on

them. Have the group work together to create appropriate
questions for the answers.
Example:
Sample card:
Student question:

3.

Yes I did.
Did you eat breakfast this morning?

Have each group read aloud its questions and answers and have
the other groups decide if they are good matches. Another way to
go over the questions is to have each group read the questions
they have created and have the other students provide the short
answers. If the question matches the answer given to the group on
the card, the group has done a good job of creating a question.
(Either a yes or a no answer is acceptable.)

6. TIME CHART
Materials:
Dynamic:
Time:
Procedure:

Worksheet 31
Pairs
15 minutes
1.

Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a copy of the worksheet.
The students make sentences as directed, using the information in
the chart.

2.

When all pairs are finished, call some students to the board to
write their sentences. The class decides whether they are correct.
If not, correct the sentences.

93

7. DICE SHOOT
Materials:

Dice of various colors (two different

colors per pair)
Pencils, 3 x 5 cards

Dynamic:
Time:
Procedure:

Pairs
15 minutes
1.

Have the same number of cards and dice as you have students.
Head each card with the name of the color of one of the dice.
Under the heading for one of the colors, number from one to six.
Next to each of those numbers, write a subject. On the other card,
write a different color, number from one to six and write six
infinitives.

2.

Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair two dice (in two
different colors) and the cards corresponding to the colors.

3.

Set a timer for three minutes.

4.

One player in each pair rolls the dice. He/She then looks at the
paper with the same color as that die and notes the subject that
matches the number rolled. He/She next looks at the paper that
matches the color of the second die. He/She selects the infinitive
corresponding to the number rolled on the second die. Now he/she
makes a sentence using the subject and infinitive, making sure the
verb agrees with the subject. If the player is correct, he/she
receives one point.

5.

Repeat the process with the second student in the pair. The person
in each pair with the most correct matches wins.
NOTE: This can be used with any verb tense, but be sure to tell the
class which tense they are expected to use.

94

8. ERROR ANALYSIS
Materials:
Dynamic:
Time:
Procedure:

Worksheet 32A or 32B

Pairs/Small groups

20 minutes
1.

Arrange students in pairs or groups of three. Give each group a

copy of the worksheet (Worksheet 32A for lower-level classes,
Worksheet 32B for higher-level classes). Have the students find
and correct the verb mistakes in the passages.

2.

When the pairs or groups seem to be done, go over the worksheet

together, explaining (or having the students explain) the reason for
the changes.
NOTE: Refer to the Answer Key if you want to provide students with
copies of the correct versions.

95

Worksheet 28A: ERROR ANALYSIS DRAW (LOW LEVEL)

She isnt happy here.

Yoko is in class now.
He dont eat lunch with us.
My cousin live very far away.
I never do eat Mexican food.
I am going to be in class tomorrow.
She has a big yellow dog with two spots.
What time go you to class everyday?

Is pretty your sister?

I often go to the movies.
Do you have a VCR?
Sam and his father was happy to see us.
Were your aunt a teacher?
I going to the grocery store after class today.
My brother sings right now.
My brother is home because he usually did his homework in the afternoon.

96

Fun with Grammar

1997 Prentice Hall Regents. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.

How many dogs does you have?

Worksheet 28B: ERROR ANALYSIS DRAW (HIGHER LEVELS)

We hasnt been very lucky recently.

She will have gotten married before she is moving to New York.
My wife is seeing the doctor now.
The grass is green.
A pencil was made of lead and wood.
My husband and I was married since 1985.
The news are exciting these days.
I usually have eaten lunch before 1:00.

1997 Prentice Hall Regents. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.

She is always yelling at me.

He hadnt met many famous people in Los Angeles before he leaves.
He had gotten married before he came here.
My uncle is working on a book.
It will rain tomorrow.
I have met your sister.
Chris does from Switzerland.
She is the laziest person I have never met.
I have eaten here many times.

Fun with Grammar

97

You has
a book.

START

GO BACK
2 SPACES

Does she
has a sister?

ROLL
AGAIN

I did not
walked to
school.

I often
goes to
the movies.

When she
will arrive?

Did he
brought
the money?

She hasn't
two
brothers.

I sit in
class right
now.

LOSE
A
TURN

I study
English
last year.

A bird is
fyling
because it
has wings.

GO BACK
1 SPACE

LOSE A
TURN

It wears a
dress.

Fun with Grammar

I going to
be in class
tomorrow.

They
studied at
the library
next
Monday.

GO AHEAD
4 SPACES

She'll will
go to the
bank.

Did Mary
lives in
New York?

ROLL
AGAIN

I see you
last night.

She doesn't
happy here.

Why came
you to
class?

Yoko was
in class
now.

STOP! YOU
REALLY
KNOW
YOUR
VERBS!

GO AHEAD
3 SPACES

I will go to
the zoo last
weekend.

GO AHEAD
2 SPACES

What time
you eat
dinner?

98

Is Mary
sleep?

We doesn't
have a car.

ROLL
AGAIN

She have a
big yellow
dog with
two spots.

Rick is
wearing
jeans
every day.

I was sorry
I break
the dish.

He is
going to
the beach
every day.

GO AHEAD
3 SPACES

ROLL
AGAIN

Yes, he
wasn't late.

Mary and
her sister
has a cold.

GO AHEAD
3 SPACES

Thomas
didn't likes
turkey.

1997 Prentice Hall Regents. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.

Worksheet 29A: BOARD GAME (LOW LEVEL)

Worksheet 29B: BOARD GAME (HIGHER LEVELS)

I saw that
movie five
times.

1997 Prentice Hall Regents. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.

START

I had eaten
here many
times.

GO AHEAD My dog barks

3 SPACES when it rained.

GO BACK
2 SPACES

I know her
before I
met her at
the party.

I bought
groceries
because I will
make dinner.

ROLL
AGAIN

My wife
seeing the
doctor now.

I usually has The child have

GO AHEAD
seen his
eaten lunch
before 1:00. mother leave. 4 SPACES

I was 20
years old
and you?

She is yelling
at me last
Tuesday.

GO BACK
1 SPACE

I am knowing
you for
3 years.

GO AHEAD
2 SPACES

I never eaten
such strange
food before.

It is rain
tomorrow.

I hasn't met
your sister.

She was
studying
while I am
eating.

LOSE
A
TURN

Do you need
help? I'm Lorenzo does
going to carry from Italy.
those boxes
for you.
LOSE A
TURN

The earth
was round.

GO AHEAD
3 SPACES

They has
often been
late for class.

ROLL
AGAIN

John has
I have eaten
many
sushi
before I
girlfriends
during his life. went to Japan.

GO BACK
1 SPACE

I have caught
a cold last
night.

He has gotten
married before
he came here.

Lisa and her

sister was
walking to
class today.

I am always
brushing my
teeth in the
morning.

The store
opening at
9A.M.

I have met
your fianc
yesterday.

STOP! YOU
REALLY
KNOW
YOUR
VERBS!

Fun with Grammar

99

Worksheet 30: SHORT ANSWERS

100

Yes, I have.

No, we havent.

Yes, I did.

No, he didnt.

Yes, she had.

No, they hadnt.

Yes, we were.

No, she wasnt.

Yes, I had been.

No, it hadnt been.

Yes, he was.

No, it wasnt.

Yes, you did.

No, you werent.

Yes, they had.

No, it hadnt.

Fun with Grammar

1997 Prentice Hall Regents. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.

Worksheet 31:

TIME CHART

1997 Prentice Hall Regents. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.

TIME

ACTIVITY

6:30 A.M.

get up

7:00 A.M.

fix breakfast

7:45 A.M.

leave for school

9:00 A.M.

attend a math lecture

12:15 P.M.

talk to friends

12:30 P.M.

eat lunch

2:30 P.M.

study in the library

4:30 P.M.

leave for work

Using the chart above, write sentences using the verb tenses indicated below. You may
write in any person, but make sure the verbs agree with your subject. Also, you may use
two subjects in your sentence if you want.
1. (simple present)
2. (present perfect)
3. (past perfect)
4. (past progressive)
5. (future)
6. (future perfect)

Fun with Grammar

101

Worksheet 32A: ERROR ANALYSIS (LOWER LEVEL)

Work with your group or partner to find all the mistakes involving verbs (tense, form,
or agreement).
1.

My brother dont like coconut. Can you believe it? I never met anyone else in my
life who felt this way. It seem very strange to me. What was there about coconut
that he dont like? It seemed very inoffensive to me. Perhaps, he says he dont
like it in order to get attention. When he refused to eat a coconut cookie or cake
with coconut frosting, he gets a lot of attention and people try to figure out why
he disliked it so much. Of course, my brother always will deny this, but I think
that was the real reason.

2.

When I first move here 10 years ago, it gets cold in December and January. In
fact, the first two years, we have a freeze which killed all of my outdoor plants.

pretty warm all winter. In fact, just the other day I wear shorts and a T-shirt.
The sun shone and I felt as if it were summer! I cant resist calling my family
and friends back home to brag about the good weather here.

3.

Last week my brother-in-law was taking me to the desert about 45 minutes

away and we stay there a couple of days. One of the reasons why we went there
is to shoot rifles just for fun. He sets up some cans and bottles for targets and
shot at them. He also lets me shoot his rifle. It is the first time I am shooting a
gun and I feel very scared. Even though I can see how much he enjoy target
practice, I thought gun ownership should be limited.

102

Fun with Grammar

1997 Prentice Hall Regents. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.

As a result, I decide not to try to grow anything else. Now, however, it is staying

Worksheet 32B:

ERROR ANALYSIS (HIGHER LEVEL)

Work with your group or partner to find all the mistakes involving verbs (tense, form,
or agreement).
1.

I first learn about this English program from a teacher at my school back home.
Surprisingly, it isnt my English teacher, but rather my history teacher. He
attends this program when he was a university student. He told me how good
this school is and what an interesting city this is. However, he warns me that he
has been a student here many years ago and that sometimes things are
changing. I have noticed some changes, but basically, I had found this to be a
good program with friendly teachers. I also enjoyed living in this city.

2.

One of the most important decisions in life is deciding on a job. I first come to
this country without knowing any English. Therefore, I have a hard time finding

1997 Prentice Hall Regents. Duplication for classroom use is permitted.

a job. I applied everywhere, but no one call me for a job. For that reason, I had
attended college and take some classes that help me to have a good career. Now
I have almost gotten my AA degree. After I am attending college for one year, I
applied at a shoe store, and they hire me right away. My plans are to transfer to
the university; after that, I can easily found a better job.

3.

My son became a snackaholic. There was a time when he eats three big meals
a day. Now, he only want to snack. Popcorn, cookies, candy, soft drinks: these is
his favorite foods. He has seemed to want to eat constantly, but only sweets or
chips. What has happened to my good little eater? Could it be that he follows the
example of his parents? I guessed we better look at our own eating habits!

Fun with Grammar

103